Snake plants are one of the most popular houseplants, for good reason. Its incredibly drought-tolerant, with the ability to go weeks without water in low and medium lighting conditions. They tolerate low light (hence why theyre so often seen in office buildings) but will thrive in bright light, sending up new leaves and stronger variegation.
Snake plants are available in dozens of varieties and cultivars, with stiff-sword like leaves colored in bands of green, yellow, and cream. Its a hard-to-kill plant that makes it a go-to for any newer plant parent or anyone not interested in weekly watering duties.
Snake plants also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria are extremely popular houseplants. With their upright, sword-shaped leaves and nearly indestructible nature, it’s no wonder they are a favorite for beginner and expert gardeners alike.
But when it comes to potting and repotting these beauties many wonder – do snake plants like to be crowded in their pots? Or is it better to give them more wiggle room? Let’s take a deep dive into the root causes behind this question.
The Appeal of Snake Plants
There are many reasons why snake plants make fantastic houseplants
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They tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from bright, direct sun to very low light. This makes them ideal for practically any spot in your home.
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Snake plants require minimal watering compared to other houseplants. Just water when the soil is dry to the touch. Their succulent-like leaves store water which helps them thrive with less frequent waterings.
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They resist most common houseplant pests and diseases. You’re unlikely to see snake plants covered in gross bugs or wilting from disease.
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Snake plants filter toxins like formaldehyde from indoor air. What’s not to love about a plant that cleans your home’s air?
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There are compact snake plant varieties perfect for desks, tabletops, and small space. Or choose a larger upright variety to make a dramatic statement.
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The sharp, sword-shaped leaves provide unique and vertical interest compared to rounded, bushy houseplants.
It’s clear why snake plants are so popular! Now let’s look at whether they like living in crowded containers.
Do Snake Plants Like Crowded Pots?
Here is a quick overview:
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Yes, snake plants tolerate moderate crowding due to their rhizomatous growth habit. Their roots naturally grow in a clumping formation.
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But extreme crowding can stress plants, leading to reduced growth and yellowing leaves.
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If crowded, air circulation is reduced around roots, raising disease risk.
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Severely pot-bound plants struggle to uptake water and nutrients properly.
Signs Your Snake Plant Needs More Room
Watch for these clues that indicate your snake plant is too overcrowded and due for repotting:
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Densely packed, congested looking foliage growth.
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Slowed growth and very few new leaves forming.
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Bulging or cracked pot from root mass enlarging. Yes, snake plant roots can actually break pots!
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Wilting, yellowing, or browning leaves.
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Stunted, lifeless looking new shoots.
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Roots are visible emerging from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
When you notice one or more of these signals, it means your snake plant would appreciate stretching out its roots in a roomier container. Time for repotting!
How Often Should You Repot a Snake Plant?
For the average snake plant variety, aim to repot about every 2-3 years. But here are some factors that affect repotting frequency:
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Slow growing compact types may only need repotting every 4-5 years. They remain smaller and don’t mind tighter quarters.
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Faster growing varieties require more frequent repotting, sometimes as much as yearly. Their vigorous growth means more space needed.
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Older plants often need less frequent repotting than younger snake plants. Their growth has slowed down.
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Plants in smaller pots will require repotting more often than those given more initial space.
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Bright light speeds up growth, meaning more frequent repotting may be needed.
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Well-draining soil and pots with adequate holes extends time between repottings.
Get to know your individual plant’s growth habits and other factors to optimize when to repot it. Repotting yearly encourages faster growth while doing it less often slows the pace.
How to Repot a Snake Plant Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps when it’s time to repot your snake plant:
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Select a new pot with drainage holes that is just 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Don’t go too big too fast!
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Use fast-draining cactus or succulent soil mix. Avoid regular potting soil that stays too wet.
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Remove plant from old pot and loosen any tangled, congested roots or root ball.
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Place the snake plant in the new pot at the same level it was planted before. Fill in around the sides with fresh soil mix.
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Water thoroughly once repotted and allow to drain fully. Never let it sit in water.
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Prune away any damaged roots and mist leaves after repotting to reduce stress.
Aim to repot in early spring before active growth resumes. But anytime is fine if needed sooner.
Dividing Overgrown Snake Plants
An alternative to repotting severely root-bound snake plants is dividing them. Here’s a quick overview:
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Remove plant from pot and split congested root ball and rhizomes into smaller sections.
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Each section should have 3-5 healthy canes and sufficient roots to support growth.
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Repot divisions in their own containers using fast-draining soil.
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Water well after dividing and prune canes back by one-third to reduce stress.
Dividing overgrown snake plants helps rejuvenate them by stimulating fresh growth. And you gain bonus new plants!
The Takeaway: Enjoy Your Happy Snake Plant
While snake plants tolerate moderate crowding, occasional repotting into a larger container benefits the plant by allowing its roots room to spread out. Repot when clear signs of congestion arise, usually every couple years. Choosing porous, fast-draining soil and pots with drainage holes will help snake plants thrive between repottings.
With proper potting care, your snake plant will thank you with vibrant growth, bright foliage, and years of hassle-free enjoyment! It’s rewarding to keep these beautiful and hardy plants happy in your home.
When to Repot
Repot a snake plant when the roots become overcrowded or the snake plant is so big the pot is tipping over or theres no more room for offshoots to grow. The best time to repot is in spring. When repotting a snake plant, place it at the same depth in the soil as it was in the original pot.
Yellow or Brown Leaves
Healthy snake plant leaves are green with cream, yellow, or white edges. Yellow or brown leaves indicate overwatering, pests, or root rot. Avoid these conditions by maintaining a proper watering schedule only when the soil is dry.
10 Common Snake Plant Problems & How To Fix Them
FAQ
Can snake plants get too crowded?
It’s up to you! Snake plants don’t mind being a bit crowded so it’s fine to leave them. But you can also take them out if you want to multiply your snake plants.
Can you put multiple snake plants together?
- Choose a pot: Select a pot large enough to accommodate the number of plants and their future growth.
- Prepare the soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, which is important for snake plant health.
- Plant the divisions: Carefully separate the pups or divisions of the root system and plant them in the prepared soil.
- Water carefully: Snake plants prefer to dry out between waterings, so avoid overwatering.
- Provide indirect light: Snake plants thrive in indirect sunlight.
Do snake plants like bigger pots?
Snake plants do best growing a bit tight and crowded in their pots. They won’t be happy in pots that are too big. The worse thing you can do is put your Snake Plant into too big of a pot because the soil has more of a chance to stay too wet. This is a sure-fire way to kill a Snake Plant.
What makes snake plants happy?
Snake Plant enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.
Do snake plants like to be crowded?
Yes, snake plants do like to be crowded. However when they’re severely root-bound the pot can break, or they can have a hard time absorbing the water and nutrients they need. Do you water a snake plant after repotting?
Do snake plants need a pot?
Snake plants are beloved houseplants for a reason. They require pots that are proportionate to the size of the actual plant, not too big, and they prefer being slightly crowded; if repotting, choose a pot that’s only a little bigger.
Do snake plants have drooping leaves?
Snake plants, which are related to cactus and have up to 140 species and varieties, are succulent plants that require little care and only occasional water. If the conditions are met, the leaves of a snake plant will not droop.
Do snake plants need a lot of attention?
Snake plants don’t need much attention to survive, and some people even believe that neglect encourages the plant to grow. In the end, the sweet, elusive white flowers can be obtained by being patient, taking care of this plant’s lighting requirements, and adding a little healthy stress.
Can You repot a snake plant?
It’s good to remember that snake plants prefer to be slightly pot-bound, so avoid repotting unless they’re in need of more room. Before we get into the steps for repotting a snake plant, first let’s chat about the ideal container. Choosing the right pot and soil will help it adjust much faster.
Do snake plants bloom?
Because snake plant flowers are so uncommon, few people even know the plant can bloom. Sometimes these blooms just appear out of nowhere or for no apparent reason. Snake plants don’t need much attention to survive, and some people even believe that neglect encourages the plant to grow.